No! Ron thought in anguish, tearing at his hair. I'm a bloody poofter! How can this be happening? He didn't notice that Hermione was staring blatantly at him from across the table because all his attention was focused on Draco, leaning arrogantly back in his chair and observing the Great Hall as though he owned the place. Ron's face reddened as he noted that Malfoy's legs were spread, and he imagined what was underneath those layers of cloth, between his thighs... Hold up now, Ron. Just yesterday you were terrified of him, and now you're checking him out? a voice of reason asked. It was strange, too. Since he had found the courage to stand up to Malfoy, he felt less like a victim, and more like the Slytherin's equal.
Malfoy, for one, was once again pondering the previous day's events. Ron's question floated back into his head. Why do you keep doing this to me? Why, indeed? He didn't know that himself. He ran a hand through his silvery blonde hair, ruffling it slightly. He had thought that he could get Ron out of his system, but apparently... it hadn't worked. He sighed, glancing over to the Gryffinor table...
And found a pair of blue eyes staring back at him.
Malfoy fitted one of his patented smirks onto his face and flashed it at Ron, whose face colored. The redhead quickly dropped his eyes to the empty plate in front of him. Draco had to supress a girlish giggle. It appeared he wasn't the only one pondering...
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On the way to dinner that evening, Hermione pulled Ron aside, saying, "Ron... I need to talk to you." He was curious as to what she wanted - he was back to his usual self now, so she couldn't possibly be wanting to interrogate him about that. They were in an empty classroom, which seemed lonely without students in it, and Hermione was staring at the floor. Her arms were crossed and she was tracing circles with her toe. She looked... nervous.
"Ron..." she started, still not meeting his eyes. An uncomfortable silence followed. Ron cleared his throat, trying to get her to continue. Her next words were rushed, tumbling out of her mouth so quickly he could hardly grasp their meaning. "DoyoulikePansyParkinson?" He blinked.
"Wha - what?" he said, incredulous. Hermione's brown eyes were now fixed on his own, waiting for an answer. "Bloody... No! Why the hell would you think that?" She relaxed slightly.
"Well, it's just that.. you've been staring at her lately, and I thought..." Oh shit. He hadn't been staring at Pansy, he'd been staring at Draco. But, considering Pansy was always taped to Draco's side, it would be an easy mistake to make... The uncomfortable silence was back.
"Why... Why do you care, anyway, Hermione?" Ron asked carefully, and even before she spoke he knew the answer.
"I... Ron, I..." she swallowed. "I like you." Ron felt his heart sink. She liked him? Hermione? He felt a little sick. Not that she wasn't attractive, but she was so... bookish. And annoying. Definitely annoying. You just don't like her because she's not Malfoy, an evil little voice crowed gleefully inside his head. No I do not! he said back, angry at himself. He was not gay. He decided that Hermione did look sort of cute, standing there all red-faced and flustered. She was looking a little ill now, come to think of it... "Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything," she muttered, and tried to push past him. He grabbed her wrist.
"Do you want to go out, then?" The complete lack of hesitation in his voice was unnerving. Hermione smiled slightly.
"Yes... I'd like that..." She hesitated before quickly pecking him on the lips. Her eyes widened as though she couldn't believe her own boldness, then she blushed furiously and hurried past Ron and out of the room. Ron stood there, stunned and numb and very confused.
He tried to pretend that he wasn't comparing that kiss to Dracos'.
He tried even harder to pretend that Dracos' kisses were much better. With Draco it had been... electric. Thrilling. Not to mention it made a certain part of his body very, very hard... With Hermione it was just... contact. Lips on lips.
No way. There's no way I'm gay, and there's no way I'm lusting after Draco Malfoy, he thought stubbornly, and strode out of the deserted classroom.
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Before Ron knew what was happening, he felt a vice-like grip on his upper arm and was slammed into the wall. Again. At this rate, his shoulderblades would be permanently bruised. He found himself staring into the pale, pointed face of Draco Malfoy. His expression was livid, his voice barely contained by clenched teeth.
"How dare you let her touch you," Malfoy said, his tone low and very dangerous. Ron smirked, his expression a perfect copy of the one Draco always wore.
"Since when do you decide who touches me?" Ron said. Despite his insolent words, he was more than a little afraid. Who knew what Malfoy would do in this state? "I don't belong to you, or anything." A muscle in Draco's jaw was working furiously. The Slytherin Seeker tried his best to calm himself down - this wouldn't do, getting all upset. It wasn't the Malfoy way. But... seeing Hermione loop her arm through Ron's, kiss him on the cheek... it had proved too much for him. Draco didn't like to share. He willed his composure back.
"Oh, but you want to belong to me, Weasley," he purred, sidling closer to the redhead. "Don't you?" It wasn't a question. Ron felt himself blush as Draco bumped his leg into Ron's swiftly hardening member. Although he hated to admit it, even to himself, Draco's possessiveness was turning him on. He was suddenly very glad that the Slytherin was good at finding privacy.
Draco lazily tilted his blonde head back, grinning seductively up at Ron, his metallic gray eyes half-closed. Their bodies were pressed fully against each other now, the heat between them undeniable. The Slytherin slowly lifted himself up on his toes, sliding his hand to the nape of Ron's neck and forcing his head down. Their mouths touched, hot and damp. Draco sucked languidly on Ron's lower lip. The taller boy felt himself go weak in the knees.
He abruptly pushed Malfoy back, much to his subconscious' disappointment. He hated the fact that he was blushing scarlet.
"I already told you Malfoy - I want nothing to do with you. I. Hate. You. Remember?" He couldn't banish a tiny waver in his voice. A plaintive noise sounded in Draco's throat. This was stupid. They both wanted it, they were so close... And stupid Weasley kept ruining it. He dug his well-manicured nails into Ron's arms, trying very hard not to admit that Ron's words stung.
"I don't care." Malfoy hissed in his ear. "I don't care what you want - it's all about me. Remember?" He paused. "Meet me at midnight in the prefect's bathroom," he gave Ron a look that plainly said, Or else. He then released the Gryffindor and rushed down the hall, his pale face flushed slightly. He'd get Ron Weasley yet...
A/N: Wrote this at 1:30am, so it's probably not very good... Ach, I have no self-esteem. I have reviewers instead. Please review it makes meh happeh. It also shows how very grateful you are at how quickly I got this new chapter up, neh?